Marshal of Merina Alium Deumi; MNAF Southeast Command Headquarters, N'gal Tsata, Merina
The Merinan National Armed Forces Southeast Command - the formation in charge of the critical campaign in Pindar - was headquartered in the city of N'gal Tsata, just beyond the heartlands of Pindar proper. Even in February, it was hot here, though not as bitingly arid as up in the highlands, a relief in many ways even if the more humid climate brought with it a preponderance of mosquitoes. The town had not, all things considered, been overly ravaged by the years of war, though its character had nonetheless been changed by the conflict; as the major supply hub for the Merinan armies in Pindar, many of the sons drafted into the Commonwealth's service had found themselves replaced by rear-echelon supply troops. While these men had brought a much-needed boost to the local economy, much of this had been directed into the black market, with various military supplies now circulating as contraband amongst the civilian population. In return, the locals had turned to meet the needs of the soldiers - prostitution, drugs and gambling were all through the roof - much to the chagrin of the local constabulary, who much of the time found their needs subordinated to those of the army.
Little of this surrounding iniquity infiltrated the headquarters complex itself - the officers, at least, retained the dignity to keep their mistresses off-base - and the handsome stone-clad main building retained its turn-of-the-century sense of grandeur. The place was located a few miles to the east of the city proper, amidst the outermost and most affluent suburbs. Originally built as an Officers' training college, it offered generous facilities and accommodations for the MNAF staff and soldiers more accustomed to life in the field, including several acres of semi-wild parkland and an improvised golf course. Returning from a visit to the front, Marshal Deumi, Merina's foremost soldier - if one was to overlook the presidency - had invited the commander of the Tamoran forces in Merina, Colonel Jamadar, to an informal meeting to discuss the current state of affairs. Though Alium did not precisely consider the relationship with his Tamoran counterpart a close one, they had enjoyed an amiable working partnership in the Tamoran's eight months in the country so far.
The Marshal was in his little, borrowed, office when the gatehouse called to inform him the Colonel was on the way. The space was a drab affair, maps each of Merina and Pindar on the walls, along with a relatively modest Merinan tricolour. Rather hopefully, a bag of golf clubs had been tactfully positioned by the door. There was an apprehensive knock.
"Enter" Alium called, stiffly. The door came open a little, revealing a well turned-out young man clad in possibly the only ironed uniform in MNAF southeast.
"Colonel Jamadar to see you, sir" The youngster informed him, curiously, the effect of his snappy salute somewhat diluted by banging his elbow, loudly, on the door frame.
"Thank-you, Corporal" Alium smiled, paternalistically "Are you alright, son?"
"Yes, sir, thank-you sir, sorry sir" The soldier stammered, clearly embarrassed "Um, should I ask the Colonel to wait, sir?"
"That's quite alright, bring him through now, if you could please. And put the kettle on while you're at it, there's a good lad"
"Sir" The Corporal saluted again, taking more care of his surroundings this time, before disappearing again. Momentarily, the Tamoran visitor was ushered into the office.
"It is good to see you again, Mister Jamadar" The Marshal smiled, standing to shake hands "I do hope the journey wasn't too demanding? Please, do take a seat" He gestured to a little wooden stool, similar to the one he hislef was seated upon "Could we provision you with tea? Coffee? Some nibbles, maybe?"